Quality of Life

The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino County Community Development and Housing Agency invites military veterans to apply for spots on the waiting list for 36 brand-new 2- and 3-bedroom apartments at Loma Linda Veterans Village.

Apartments come with refrigerators and dishwashers, while the community includes a club room with kitchen, basketball court, swimming pool, volleyball court, laundry facilities, computer lab and on-site management. Mobility-impaired households will have priority for nine units designed for their needs and hearing/sight-impaired households will have priority for five units designed for their needs.

Income and other restrictions apply. Applicants will be referred from the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino waitlist. Once qualified by the Housing Authority, applicants who are offered a unit will receive a Project-Based Voucher rental subsidy. Tenant rent will be up to 30 percent of the total household gross income as determined by the Housing Authority.

Applications are available for download at the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino website, http://ww2.hacsb.com/, or for pickup at any Housing Authority office.

Up-to-date information is available by calling 909-992-0931. Click here for more information about Loma Linda Veterans Village.

The public — especially children who might be interested in careers as firefighters and their families — are invited to an open house at the San Bernardino fire station at 200 East 3rd St on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those who attend can tour the station and see how firefighters live and work, interact with the firefighters, and see how they utilize their vehicles for different types of emergency situations. Sparky the mascot will be available for photos.

Share this post and photos from the event on social media using the hashtag #Vision4Safety.

Click here for more information about the event or contact San Bernardino County Fire Protection District Fire Prevention Officer Manny Sedano at 909-918-2201 or msedano@sbcfire.org. For more information about Vision4Safety, please visit vision4safety.com.

In a milestone decision on June 28, 2018, the state’s Strategic Growth Council (SGC) awarded San Bernardino $20 million through the California Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program – a first for the Inland Empire. The win reflects a longstanding and heralded public-private partnership to revitalize one of San Bernardino’s core neighborhoods called Arrowhead Grove, formerly known as the Waterman Gardens Public Housing site.

“This decision is paramount in the continued effort toward rehabilitating the Waterman Corridor in San Bernardino,” said City of San Bernardino Mayor R. Carey Davis. “This is a testament to the power of community collaboration. With the support of our partners, we will continue to pursue safe and stable communities for our residents and families to thrive.”

The contribution via AHSC’s implementation of a statewide program uses Cap-and-Trade dollars for projects that improve public health and the environment in disadvantaged communities. The $20 million will help fund two upcoming phases of Arrowhead Grove at North Waterman Avenue and East Baseline Street, compromising 147 affordable housing units and 36 market-rate units, along with pedestrian and transit improvements that will benefit the community-at-large. Upon completion, Arrowhead Grove will include about 400 units as well as community amenities like a pool and clubhouse, upgraded infrastructure, walking paths, a community garden and a computer lab for residents.

National Community Renaissance (National CORE), one of the nation’s largest affordable housing developers and the general contractor for the project, is working in partnership with the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino to transform the Arrowhead Grove neighborhood.

“None of this would be possible without the collective commitment of the City, the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) and every stakeholder, funder and agency that have dedicated themselves to turning this dream into reality,” said Steve PonTell, president and chief executive officer of National CORE. “We are grateful for the SGC and the AHSC support and we are eager to move forward with the next stages of this transformative effort to rebuild San Bernardino block by block.”

“There is a critical need for affordable housing in San Bernardino County,” said Supervisor Josie Gonzales, whose Fifth District includes Arrowhead Grove. “We owe a great deal of thanks to our legislative delegation, the HASCB, National CORE, other county agencies, and the City of San Bernardino for the hard work they put into acquiring this vital funding source.”

Two initial phases of the Waterman Gardens redevelopment have already been completed. Valencia Vista, the first phase with 76 units, opened to residents in December 2016. A little more than a year later, Olive Meadow, the second phase with 62 units, opened in September 2017. Both have earned recognition from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, and the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, among others, for the transformative impact on the lives of residents and the community at-large.

“This was a collaborative effort with so many partners,” said Housing Authority of San Bernardino County’s Executive Director Maria Razo. “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to effectively invest and leverage our dollars to achieve the vision of affordable housing and active transportation options that improve the health and well-being of the residents who live in the area.”

Financing for the overall Arrowhead Grove plan is through a variety of private and public sources including low-income housing tax credit financing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and federal HOME-Investment Partnership funds.

With this advancement and the continued momentum of the developer, agencies involved are hopeful that Arrowhead Grove’s construction will break ground in late 2018 or early 2019.

ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM (AHSC) The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC) builds healthier communities and protects the environment by increasing the supply of affordable places to live near jobs, stores, transit, and other daily needs. This program is administered by the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) which coordinates the activities of State agencies and partners with stakeholders to promote sustainability, economic prosperity, and quality of life for all Californians. The AHSC Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap‑and‑Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov

ABOUT NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE (NATIONAL CORE) National Community Renaissance, based in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit developers of affordable housing. CORE manages nearly 9,000 affordable, senior and market-rate units in California, Arkansas, Texas and Florida. Over its nearly two decade history, the Hope through Housing Foundation has provided more than 2 million hours of transformational social services such as financial literacy training, senior wellness, and preschool and afterschool programs. For more information on National CORE and Hope through Housing, please visit www.nationalcore.org.

ABOUT HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO (HACSB) The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino is one of the nation’s most progressive housing authorities in the Country. As the largest provider of affordable housing in the County, we proudly serve approximately 30,000 people, most of whom are seniors, veterans, disabled individuals, and children. We also work on connecting our families with additional needed to achieve their personal goals. For more information, please visit: www.hacsb.com

ABOUT CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO San Bernardino is a city rooted in rich history and cultural diversity. Located at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, this city is positioned for world-class excellence made possible with access to nearby deserts, mountain communities and beaches. San Bernardino is also situated along one of the nation’s busiest transportation corridors and thrives as a logistics hub. Currently under a major revitalization effort, the City of San Bernardino has endless possibilities for the future. For additional information about San Bernardino, visit www.SBCity.org, facebook.com/sbcitygov or twitter.com/sbcitygov.

A group of Redlands High School seniors recently wrapped up a world-class eight-year run in the annual international Destination Imagination science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics competition.

The team finished in the top 10 in all eight of their trips to the Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn., including four world championships. This year’s tournament included 1,400 teams from 38 U.S. states, six Canadian provinces and 19 countries, including Australia, China, Indonesia and Qatar.

Destination Imagination is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching students the creative process through hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) challenges.

“These students have worked so hard and accomplished so much this year in our annual competition,” said Michele Tuck-Ponder, Interim CEO for Destination Imagination. “When you get more than 8,000 of the brightest young minds in the world putting their talents on display, it really is awe-inspiring. Every year, we get to see the future leaders in STEAM, and I’m always amazed with what they produce.”

The team from Redlands, working this year under the name Capital Funishment, finished ninth in their Technical Challenge, presenting a fully autonomous vehicle that could navigate a randomly selected maze using sensors, coding and mathematics.

It’s going to be a banner night for public health when two of the largest Southern California counties’ baseball and Public Health teams face off on the field and hit a “Home Run for Health” at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino on August 10.

San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, Riverside County Public Health, and the California Health Collaborative have all joined the effort to spread a message of good health by offering FREE admission to the public when the Inland Empire 66ers host the Lake Elsinore Storm August 10 at the 66ers’ San Manuel Stadium, located at 280 South E Street in San Bernardino.

“The best thing about this event will be all the health information that will be made available to fans. Our staff will be there to showcase our programs and the great services and resources we provide to residents every day,” said Trudy Raymundo, Director of San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.

Fans are invited to visit the locations below to pick up their vouchers. One voucher can be redeemed for four (4) tickets (limit 2 vouchers/8 tickets).

San Bernardino County Department of Public Health
Vital Statistics Registration Office

A Walking School Bus is a group of children who walk to school together under the supervision of trained adult leaders. The program promotes good health, a cleaner environment, and reduced traffic around school.

At Wrightwood Elementary School, students participate in the Walking School Bus on most days and by the time they get to school they are alert and ready to learn because they have had their exercise. This is a great example of how children and adults can get physical activity into their daily routine.

Click here for more information about the program. Click here to get involved or start something similar in your community.

This program is a great example of children and adults who have a Vision2BActive!

The Board of Supervisors today endorsed Vision2BActive, a new campaign designed to encourage physical activity with the goal of improving health and wellness in San Bernardino County.

Only 23 percent of San Bernardino County adults and 34 percent of our youth get the recommended amount of physical activity, according to the most recent data from the California Health Interview Survey. In its 2008 issuance of “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans,” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended adults get 150 minutes a week of physical activity and children ages 5 to 17 were encouraged to move at least 60 minutes a day.

“We know that a healthy community means a prosperous community and that’s why we support Vision2BActive,” said James Ramos, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “I encourage residents to make the time to be physically active and take advantage of opportunities to play in the county’s parks, lakes, deserts and mountains. Let’s welcome 2017 with a New Year’s Resolution to get healthy.”

Health has a direct and profound impact on the quality of life of the county. Vision2BActive supports the public’s Vision for a “complete community”, especially the jobs and the economy, education, wellness and public safety elements of the community. It is a public campaign of the community-driven Community Vital Signs effort, which has completed an in-depth analysis of the current health of the county, developed evidence-based goals and priorities, and gathered resources to assist organizations and agencies in the county to develop or enhance programs and policies to better meet the health and wellness needs of residents.

Regular physical activity can produce a variety of long-term benefits for San Bernardino County residents regardless of their age, background or abilities. Physical activity is fun and includes the easiest movement such as walking or throwing a ball around to the most challenging exercise like running or mountain biking. Throughout the campaign, Vision2BActive.com will serve as a resource and provide residents with information about physical activity events, fitness tips and a GIS map featuring places to be active in the county.

The San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Board of Directors will be asked to endorse Vision2BActive at its Jan. 4 meeting.

On Jan. 7, all San Bernardino County residents are encouraged to get their New Year’s Resolutions started and participate in the Vision2BActive Challenge. Post a photo or video or livestream a physical activity such as gardening, walking, or playing basketball, on social media using #Vision2BActive and challenge three friends to participate. Posts will be shared on Facebook at San Bernardino Countywide Vision or on Twitter and Instagram @SBCVision. For inspiration, watch this video Ramos made for the campaign.

The Countywide Vision was adopted in June 2011 by the Board of Supervisors and the SANBAG Board of Directors in partnership with the community in order to develop a roadmap for the future of San Bernardino County, which includes creating a healthy and prosperous future for all who live, work and play here. Vision2BActive is the second public campaign of the Countywide Vision Project following the successful Vision2Read literacy initiative that started in September 2015.

The National League of Cities recently recognized the City of Fontana along with more than 30 other cities for their efforts to improve nutrition and increase physical activity in their communities during the National League of Cities’ City Summit in Pittsburg on November 17, 2016. The City of Fontana was recognized for their Healthy Fontana Program and its work to enhance the goals of the Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties Campaign. See goals. City of Fontana Community Services Manager Michael Wright and Mayor Acquanetta Warren attended the event and picked up the award on behalf of the dedicated city staff that is working to ensure the health and well-being of young people today and that of future generations.

Healthy Fontana is a community-based, award-winning program that promotes a healthy lifestyle, teaches smart nutrition choices and assists in creating an active, livable community to improve the quality of life for Fontana residents. Community Services Manager Michael Wright praised his team for the recognition.“This honor is only possible through great leadership, the vision from our Mayor and City Council, great management team and dedicated employees that have the community of Fontana in their best interest,” said Community Services Manager Michael Wright. ” The Fontana team has a passion for making residents lives better, and creating and implementing programs that eradicate obesity rates of children is just one way we develop healthier lives and a Healthy Fontana.”

The Healthy Fontana program was developed in response to First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative encouraging communities to design programs to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. More than 500 cities, towns and counties participate in Let’s Move! Cities, Town and Counties. Other California cities that were recognized for their efforts included Glendale, Rialto, Riverside and San Pablo. Medals were awarded to communities based on their achievements in improving access to healthy, affordable food and promoting physical activity.

Libraries countywide increased the number of children and adults participating in summer reading programs by 28 percent, exceeding the 15 percent goal they set in support of the Vision2Read campaign.

In May, libraries throughout San Bernardino County encouraged people to sign up for library cards and join summer reading programs to help avoid a loss of reading skills that can occur during breaks in the academic school year. Throughout the summer, libraries offered reading programs and activities that included giving away rewards for meeting reading challenges.

Countywide, 47,632 people participated in summer reading programs. The top three libraries in the county with the most signups in summer reading programs were:

Fontana Lewis Library & Technology Center – 7,525 signups

Rancho Cucamonga City Library – 4,519 signups

Hesperia Branch Library – 3,971 signups

“Reading throughout the year is important, but we know keeping our kids engaged during the summer months improves their academic performance,” said James Ramos, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. “I’m pleased to see that summer reading programs throughout the county are continuing to get more people signed up and helping them achieve their literacy goals.”

Vision2Read, a literacy initiative of the Countywide Vision project, aims to raise the bar on literacy in our county by focusing on the importance of reading and connecting people who need help or who can help to literacy resources. Only 37 percent of San Bernardino County third graders met or exceeded California English language arts and literacy testing standards in 2016 and 32 million adults nationwide can’t read.

Literacy has an impact on a number of elements in our community such as jobs and the economy, education, public safety and wellness. When literacy skills are nurtured and encouraged, children and adults can reach their potential, the local economy can continue to prosper and the county will have a more educated workforce to attract employers to the region.

Visit Vision2Read.com for additional information about the campaign, literacy resources and a listing of all libraries countywide.